Asked by: Baroness Golding (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government whether they intend to appoint an ombudsman to address the standard of newly built homes.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
A new home is not just the largest monetary purchase most people ever make, it is also the largest emotional commitment as people look to provide a safe, good quality home for themselves and their families. It is therefore vital that as housing supply increases, the quality of new build homes continues to improve so as to avoid some of the issues highlighted in the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) for Excellence in the Built Environment's report.
I am aware of the report’s recommendations, including that for a new homes ombudsman.
Asked by: Baroness Golding (Labour - Life peer)
Question to the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government:
To ask Her Majesty’s Government what steps they are taking to protect purchasers of newly built homes from defects resulting from faulty building by developers.
Answered by Lord Bourne of Aberystwyth
A new home is not just the largest monetary purchase most people ever make, it is also one of the largest emotional commitments as people look to provide a safe, good quality home for them and their families. It is therefore vital that as housing supply increases, the quality of new build homes continues to improve, and I am aware of last year’s report by the All Party Parliamentary Group for Excellence in the Built Environment, More Homes, Fewer Complaints, which looked at these issues. Building inspectors check to ensure that building regulations’ requirements are met on new homes, but it is the house builders' responsibility to ensure new homes are built to the right standards.
Where something goes wrong, house builders and warranty providers should fulfill their obligations to put this right. The Consumer Code for Homebuilders is an industry-led scheme which gives protection and rights to purchasers of new homes, ensuring that new homebuyers are treated fairly and are fully informed about their purchase. A new Code was introduced on 1 April.